Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: RHU
- Type: Wooden motor yacht
- Year Built: Unknown
- Builder: Chris-Craft
- Dimensions: 26 ft (7.9 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not listed
- Location: Clapperton Channel, near Middle Bank shoal, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada
- Official Number: Not listed
- Original Owners: Not listed
- Number of Masts: Not applicable
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden motor yacht (Chris-Craft), pleasure craft
Description
RHU was a 26-foot (7.9 m) Chris-Craft pleasure craft, a classic wooden boat design popular in the mid-20th century. The vessel was on a leisure cruise with four adults and two children on board when the accident occurred.
History
RHU’s final voyage took place in 1965 in the North Channel of Lake Huron. While navigating Clapperton Channel near Middle Bank shoal, the crew was affected by heavy glare from the low sun, which obscured visibility. This led to the vessel missing a red spar buoy marking the shoal. Without a dinghy on board—though one had been purchased and not yet delivered—the grounding left the group stranded. All passengers survived the incident, but RHU was a total loss.
This incident reflects common navigational risks in the North Channel, particularly during low visibility conditions.
Significant Incidents
- Grounding incident in 1965 due to low sun glare affecting visibility.
- No loss of life reported.
Final Disposition
RHU ran aground on Middle Bank shoal in Clapperton Channel and was lost in 1965. There is no record of salvage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil known – there is no documented recovery or modern dive site associated with RHU.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rhu-1965″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of RHU in 1965 highlights the risks of navigating the intricate channels around Manitoulin Island, particularly in low light and sun glare conditions. While the vessel itself has faded into history without being a formal dive site, its story serves as an instructive case of navigational awareness in Great Lakes boating.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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